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DowntownFairfaxCAShot1Photo: ERobson at English Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0
A+
Schools in Fairfax · Ross Valley Elementary School District, Tamalpais Union High School District

Fairfax’s public schools outscore 95% of California districts

62% of students in Fairfax’s public schools are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Fairfax, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

#29of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 83% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
75%
▲ 29 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
62%
▲ 29 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
97%
▲ 11 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$23.7K
▲ 12% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024 · Tamalpais Union High
Students per teacher
18.7
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
3
5,168 students on the public path
In brief

Fairfax’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 75% and math 62% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

Ross Valley Elementary spends $17,310 per student and Tamalpais Union High $23,705, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

Ross Valley Charter is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Fairfax’s grade

A+ Test scoresA− Graduation

A+: better than 95% of California school districts, #29 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 95%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (351)Better than 97%
AA+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,095 test results and a graduating class of 1,272 could put Fairfax anywhere from A to A+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 83% of Fairfax’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,062 in math, 2,128 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Fairfax, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–5Manor ElementaryRoss Valley Elementary School DistrictA
6–8White Hill MiddleRoss Valley Elementary School DistrictA
9–123 high schoolsDepends on your addressA

Fairfax runs its own schools through grade 8 (Ross Valley Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Tamalpais Union High School District, shared with Belvedere, Corte Madera, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Ross, San Anselmo, Sausalito and Tiburon. Its high school is in Larkspur. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Fairfax

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Ross Valley Elementary School DistrictGrades K–8 · 5 schools · 1,679 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 19.8 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$17,310CA $21,206 · FY2024
A+
Tamalpais Union High School DistrictGrades 9–12 · 5 schools · 4,503 students, down 12% since 2020–21 · 18.3 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$23,705CA $21,206 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading · K–8, Ross Valley Elementary School District75%
State average 46.7% · 1184 students tested
Math · K–8, Ross Valley Elementary School District65%
State average 33.1% · 1168 students tested
Reading · 9–12, Tamalpais Union High School District76%
State average 46.7% · 944 students tested
Math · 9–12, Tamalpais Union High School District59%
State average 33.1% · 894 students tested

Fairfax vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Fairfax’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
FairfaxA+Ross Valley Elementary K–8 · Tamalpais Union High 9–12
San AnselmoA+Ross Valley Elementary K–8 · Tamalpais Union High 9–12

Every school in Fairfax

6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Fairfaxby address
Manor Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
A
234 students21:1Rate it →
White Hill Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
A
601 students17:1Rate it →
Also serving Fairfaxin other towns
Redwood High
High · Grades 9–12 · Larkspur
A
1,722 students19:1Rate it →
Tamalpais High
High · Grades 9–12 · Mill Valley
A
1,470 students19:1Rate it →
Archie Williams High
High · Grades 9–12 · San Anselmo
A
1,141 students18:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Ross Valley Charter
Elementary · Grades K–5
A
Charter
198 students25:1Rate it →

Questions about Fairfax’s schools

Are Fairfax’s schools good?

By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Fairfax children attend outscore 95% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #29 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 97%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Fairfax in?

Two districts: Ross Valley Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Tamalpais Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Belvedere, Corte Madera, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Ross, San Anselmo, Sausalito and Tiburon.

Where do Fairfax kids go to high school?

One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Redwood High, Tamalpais High and Archie Williams High.

What is Fairfax’s graduation rate?

97% of the class of 2023 in Tamalpais Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Fairfax spend per student?

$17,310 in Ross Valley Elementary School District and $23,705 in Tamalpais Union High School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Fairfax families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Fairfax → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.